Environmental exposures and respiratory health in South African children: lessons from climate, air pollution and aeroallergen research
1
1 Allergy and Immunology Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
2
3 Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
3
2 Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Climate change is impacting on environmental exposures in ways that are increasingly important for respiratory health in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.(1) Translating complex aeroallergen, air pollution, climate and respiratory outcome data into evidence supporting public health decision-making becomes crucial. Session Aims The session aims to support researchers and clinicians in navigating environmental determinants of children’s respiratory health in the context of increasing climate change. We will explore relevant environmental and health metrics, discuss approaches to designing practical and policy-relevant research, and how research can be meaningfully translated into policy change. Format The session format comprises five 10-minute talks and a Q&A. We open with 1) an overview of how environmental exposures affect child respiratory health, using a One Health perspective to explain why this is a public health concern, followed by 2) a review of what is currently known from South African research on environmental exposures and respiratory health in children, including areas where gaps persist.(2,3) Then 3) the Sentinel asthma study is introduced and we elaborate on how this design is being implemented in South African communities. This includes choices around environmental exposure and health metrics, surveillance approaches, and participatory research.(4) We then discuss 4) challenges in setting up environmental health research, including feasibility, data access, and governance issues experienced during Sentinel study planning. The session concludes with a presentation on 5) how environmental and health research can be communicated to influence public health policy, using practical examples of how local research has been used in real policy contexts. Learning Outcomes This session provides participants with a practical framework for understanding climate-related environmental risks to respiratory health in children, designing research that aligns with real-world challenges, and communicating evidence in ways that support public health and policy decision-making.
Climate change is impacting on environmental exposures in ways that are increasingly important for respiratory health in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.(1) Translating complex aeroallergen, air pollution, climate and respiratory outcome data into evidence supporting public health decision-making becomes crucial. Session Aims The session aims to support researchers and clinicians in navigating environmental determinants of children’s respiratory health in the context of increasing climate change. We will explore relevant environmental and health metrics, discuss approaches to designing practical and policy-relevant research, and how research can be meaningfully translated into policy change. Format The session format comprises five 10-minute talks and a Q&A. We open with 1) an overview of how environmental exposures affect child respiratory health, using a One Health perspective to explain why this is a public health concern, followed by 2) a review of what is currently known from South African research on environmental exposures and respiratory health in children, including areas where gaps persist.(2,3) Then 3) the Sentinel asthma study is introduced and we elaborate on how this design is being implemented in South African communities. This includes choices around environmental exposure and health metrics, surveillance approaches, and participatory research.(4) We then discuss 4) challenges in setting up environmental health research, including feasibility, data access, and governance issues experienced during Sentinel study planning. The session concludes with a presentation on 5) how environmental and health research can be communicated to influence public health policy, using practical examples of how local research has been used in real policy contexts. Learning Outcomes This session provides participants with a practical framework for understanding climate-related environmental risks to respiratory health in children, designing research that aligns with real-world challenges, and communicating evidence in ways that support public health and policy decision-making.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
